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Alex Morice - Posted - 05/19/2016: 09:56:30
Good Morning, Summer is rapidly approaching and plan on trekking in back country of Sierras. The next best thing to taking my wife is my other partner, (banjo, just to be clear) but this time I want to ask if anyone here has any thoughts on the lightest and best quality, yes price is an issue as it may get a little dinged up on cross country trails. I currently have the D. Goodtime but at 4 lbs, a little heavy for backpacking on a longer trip. Feedback would be helpful. Looking at Backyard Instruments and there Fireside Banjo. Please let me know. Thanks
wizofos - Posted - 05/19/2016: 11:06:40
I don't think you are going to find any banjo lighter than the 2 lb. Fireside.
If you want a case you can make your own, check out these links.
instructables.com/id/Make-a-Gi...le-Banjo/
sew2pro.com/tag/gig-bag/
If you want more protection for the neck and peg head, then you can put a cardboard mailing tube in it to slide the neck in.
OldInTheNewWay - Posted - 05/19/2016: 12:48:00
Here is what I do, just under 2lbs.
It is a bluestem travel banjo, from our BHO's own Rudy. I think that is what they are still called!
You would have to build it yourself, or have a local woodworker or something, but worth if you want a backpacker 'jo.
Rudy has the plans on his site:bluestemstrings.com/pageWineboxBanjo1.html">bluestemstrings.com/pageWineboxBanjo1.html
Mine has been on several week-long treks and still holding strong.
Edited by - OldInTheNewWay on 05/19/2016 12:50:13
GrizClaw - Posted - 05/19/2016: 13:23:47
I used to own a Tranjo Express II. Amazing sound and playability for what it is. Weighs under 3lbs and neck comes off with one thumb type bolt or screw. They run about $500 new with gig bag and capo. They set up in about 3 to 5 minutes if you take the neck off. I never did because it fit right in my back pack with no problem. The other thing I liked about it was the full scale neck.
SteveZ - Posted - 05/19/2016: 17:12:13
If willing to go four-string, a nylon-string banjo-uke is light and loud. Of the two I have (SideKick and Deering) the SideKick is only 1 1/2 pounds. There are many on the market and can be tuned as desired (mine are at GDAE and CGDA).
doryman - Posted - 05/19/2016: 18:21:14
This is why I also play the harmonica.
firemx220 - Posted - 05/24/2016: 02:23:01
I have the fireside banjo Glen mentioned and it's very light. You might want to bring a sponge or make an armrest. After playing a while it digs in your arm. For what it is it sounds good.
wizofos - Posted - 05/25/2016: 17:27:33
quote:
Originally posted by firemx220
I have the fireside banjo Glen mentioned and it's very light. You might want to bring a sponge or make an armrest. After playing a while it digs in your arm. For what it is it sounds good.
Just checked the Fireside web site to refresh my memory and there is an armrest kit you can get to install. $8.00
There are any number of metal arm rests available on e-Bay for around $4. You might have to jury rig some sort of mounting hardware.
wizofos - Posted - 05/27/2016: 13:00:13
Alex and all, I had one other thought about the Backyard Fireside kit. I assume you would buy the kit rather than pay for them to build it for you. There is a discussion about finishes and Rudy mentioned using Bees wax for a finish. Below is a long thread about how to use it and the good thing is that it is water proof. It is now my go to finish and has been used on several instruments and will be used in the future. Since the head is wood you could finish it with bees wax to water proof it.
banjohangout.org/archive/307074
